More than 15,000 jobs recruited to SC in 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCIV) -- More than 15,000 jobs came to South Carolina in 2013 and more than $5.4 billion in capital investment, according to a release from the state's Department of Commerce.

According to the release, there was a record level of capital investment by businesses locating or expanding in the state last year.

"From the start we have focused on bringing jobs to South Carolina and this focus has paid off for the people of this state - announcing 43,000 new jobs, $10 billion in capital investment, and projects in 45 of 46 counties over the past three years," said Governor Nikki Haley. "Getting new companies to move here and encouraging existing ones to expand takes a strategic and concentrated effort, but the entire state has proven what is possible when Team South Carolina works together."

The manufacturing sector made up 68% of new jobs and 82% of capital investment last year with 10,442 jobs and $4.5 billion in investment recruited in 2013.

While the recruitment of new companies led in job creation at 9,071 new jobs in the pipeline, the expansion of existing businesses in South Carolina represented more than half of new capital investment recruited to the state, at $2.8 billion.

In December, IBM-Plant Location International's 2013 report recognized South Carolina as the{} top per-capita recruiter of jobs tied to foreign-direct investment in the United States for the second year in a row.

The following companies are the top 10 announcements by job creation and capital investments for 2013: